Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine may be able to assist with the management of itching, rashes, blisters, pain related to some skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, acne, Herpes Zoster, psoriasis, et al.
Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine considers the body as a whole entity with the environment. A person's diet, lifestyle, emotions and environment are all believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of a skin disorder. The goal then is to treat the pattern disorder of the problem's root cause, and not the disease itself.
During a consultation, the patient may be asked about sleep, emotions, diet, digestion, etc. Diagnostic techniques include:
• Observations of the patient's tongue
• Pulse diagnosis — palpation of the patient's pulse
• Observations of patient's skin (especially the eruption area which occur initially)
• Palpation of the patient's body for tenderness or comparison of relative warmth or coolness of different parts of the body.
Treatment in Chinese medicine
Depending on the skin condition, a TCM treatment protocol might cover a combination of oral Chinese herbs, acupuncture, external herbal washes, creams and dietary advice. Generally a patient will be required initially to visit us on a weekly basis, then fortnightly or monthly visits will be arranged once the condition has stabilised. The course varies with each individual's skin state. In our experience, positive results usually will be reached within 1-5 weeks. In the initial consultation, an estimation of the length of treatment will be given.
Chinese herbal medicine
There are over 450 herbs, animal and mineral extracts which are used in combination. In China, herbal medicine is considered as the primary therapeutic modality of internal medicine. Every herb has its own characteristics and effects and combining them together can achieve maximum benefit and reduce the side effects, and also can adapt to the specific needs of patients, especially these patients with insomnia or mood problems.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a technique in which the practitioner inserts fine needles into specific points on the patient's body to stimulate certain organs, move qi blockages and encourage healing. One can feel a heavy sensation on acupuncture points and this feeling can last 1-2 days. People vary in their response to acupuncture, but most find it a relaxing experience.
Dietary advice
Chinese Medicine believes that skin conditions can be aided or aggravated by certain foods. In TCM, all foods possess a certain nature (ie. cold, hot, sweet, sour, etc.) and this affects our body and skin conditions. Dietary advice will be given in the initial consultation to recommend more of certain foods or avoid other foods. Dietary advice is considered as an important part in TCM theory.